Evaluation of acute and developmental effects of difenoconazole via multiple stage zebrafish assays

Zebrafish, during embryo, larvae and adult stages were selected to investigate the potential environmental risk and aquatic toxicity of a widely used fungicide, difenoconazole. In addition to mortality, embryo development endpoints, teratogenic effects and behavior abnormity were measured. Finally, the developmental parameters of the adult fish were assessed after 14 days' exposure. This study concluded that the acute toxicity of difenoconazole to the three phases of zebrafish were larvae (1.17 mg/L) > adult fish (1.45 mg/L) > embryo (2.34 mg/L). A large suite of symptoms was induced in embryonic development by different dosages of difenoconazole, including hatching inhibition, abnormal spontaneous movement, slow heart rate, growth regression and morphological deformities. 0.50 mg/L of difenoconazole could cause significant body color blackening and decrease in the heart rate of zebrafish larvae over 24 h. In addition, 0.25 mg/L of difenoconazole apparently inhibited the growth weight of adult zebrafish measured after 14 days' exposure.

► The acute toxicity of difenoconazole to the three phases of zebrafish were ordered larvae > adult > embryo.
► Difenoconazole induced many abnormities during zebrafish embryonic and larvae stages.
► Difenoconazole caused growth inhibition of adult zebrafish after 14 days' exposure.